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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What unpleasant beverage do Hortensia and Marion share in Chapter Eighteen.

2. Why does Hortensia not want any books from the library?

3. How does Marion feel when she witnesses Hortensia being kind?

4. What event takes place at the beginning of Chapter Seventeen?

5. What does Marion remove from Hortensia’s wall?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hortensia feel “at home again” after she and Marion fight?

2. Why does Hortensia slap Marion?

3. How does Agnes ultimately feel about Marion?

4. What motivates Hortensia to contact Esme?

5. Why did Hortensia never confront Peter about the affair?

6. How does Chapter Sixteen show Marion develop?

7. How does Hortensia’s confession about Peter’s illegitimate child bring the women closer together?

8. Why did Hortensia and Peter’s relationship receive criticism?

9. How does Marion feel about the torture schematics she finds at the library?

10. What does the photograph that covers the stain in Hortensia’s room symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and dissect Hortensia’s complicated reaction to Peter’s death. Point to specific scenes from the novel that reveal her conflicting emotions.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Hortensia’s perception of and struggles with the concept of motherhood. How does this compare to Marion’s struggle?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the Samsodien’s land claim against the Von Struikers. What is the history of this claim? What is the defense for both sides?

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